Sports
Local Hockey

Bantam AAA Storm looking to be a contender this year

Liam Morrow, of the Grande Prairie Bantam AAA Storm, tries to take the puck to the net against the PAC Saints on October 15 at Crosslink County Sportsplex. The Storm won 6-2.
Logan Clow/Daily Herald-Tribune

The Bantam AAA Storm have struggled in recent years to finish .500 but head coach Wade Wallan believes those misfortunes can change.

“We’ve got some younger guys that have come in that are definitely a surprise. It’s definitely a (learning) process for a lot of them. It’s a big jump, but I think they’re adapting very well. There’s a lot to learn in a short time for some of them, but I think we’re moving along at a pace that I would have hoped,” said Wallan, of the team this season.

Last season, the team finished in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League (AMBHL) with a 11-23-3 record in 36 games – one of their best finishes in recent years.

But, Wallan feels that with the off-season work put in over the summer months, this year’s team can contend for a post-season berth.

“I think we’re farther ahead than it has been in previous years. We’re strong on the backend. On the front end, we’re a fairly quick team. With, I think we have four first-years, but we’re decent-sized, so we’re fairly physical, but it looks like we’re definitely going to compete for a playoff spot,” he said.

“I think we want to be a quick team that basically plays physical, has a ton of grit, and that is quick in transition and can put the puck in the net. And, I think those are things that we can do, but also as well, that we can play in our own zone and keep the shots to a minimal and at least with the high quality scoring opportunities, we can keep them to the outside...”

A key asset for the team is their wealth of returning players.

Defencemen Clayton Brown and Kaden Reinders are back.

“I find, at times, you get success from the backend out, and those two guys, have played 50 or so games at this level, it definitely helps it. We’ve never really had that luxury before,” noted Wallan.

Up front, the team has returnees Ty Toews, Austyn Hansen and Nolan Flint.

“They kind of went through the ups and downs we had this year, so they understand the level of commitment and effort it takes to play at that level, considering it’s probably some of the best hockey in Western Canada,” added Wallan.